Sailing Networks News

North Sea Regatta 2013

Tue, 21 May 2013 10:41:00 GMT

The North Sea Regatta started this year with a rainy day but good wind and competitive racing. VanUden controled the day and won both windward – leeward races.
The second day there was more competition. Perfect racing conditions. Motions and Checkmate both won a race and the results were complete different then the day before. The day ended with a sunny panton crew party for the Swan 45 and Swan 60.
Day 3 started with light weather but later the wind increased. Over 20 knots, hard working. Good races for No Limits and Samantaga.
Day 4 was cancelled. No races as the wind was gone completely.

Overall: a great event thanks to a good organisation and Race commité. Hard working, very close competitions and a good admosphere.

BANK HOLIDAY BATTLE ON THE BROADS!

Mon, 20 May 2013 13:28:00 GMT

This bank holiday weekend (26/27 May) will see Oulton Broad a bustling hive of activity as the 2013 Powerboat GP RYA British Championship comes to town for the Lowestoft Grand Prix.

The second round of the British Championship, hosted by the Lowestoft and Oulton Broad Motor Boat Club at Nicholas Everitt Park, will see over 40 team’s battle it out for valuable championship points in eight different classes over the bank holiday Sunday and Monday.
Lowestoft youngster Thomas Mantripp (11) will be looking to improve on his current second place in the championship standings and will hope that having a home water advantage will keep the other 11 junior racers in the GT15 class at bay.

The Hydroplane and OSY400 competitors will take to the water for their first championship round and will be looking to put the long winter behind them and be eager to get the first campaign points. Tony Knights makes a welcome return to the OSY class and will have his work cut out as he looks to keep fierce adversary Jamie Marr in his wake as they each battle for the top of the podium.

Twelve, crowd pleasing, F2 Catamarans will make the start line for the Lowestoft Grand Prix and the battle promises to be immense. Local driver Scott Curtis will be looking to put a disastrous first round behind him and will look to get off to a quick start to keep the championship front runners of Owen Jelf and Steve Hoult in his wake in what’s sure to be edge of the seat action!

The Powerboat GP Championship will once again be joined by Tiff Needell and the television cameras of Green Light TV as they follow every twist, turn, flip and spill in the championship for the Powerboat GP television series featured on SkySports.

The on-water action will commence on Sunday morning at 12pm as the racers battle it out for the all-important pole positions during timed qualifying before heading into the two day event heats.

For more information on Powerboat GP visit: www.powerboatgp.co.uk

Love Powerboat Racing? Then why not join the association that promotes and protects, safe, successful and rewarding boating. Join today and support the RYA in protecting your boating rights and freedoms. Take advantage of free advice and support on all aspects of your boating, as well as enjoying a range of fantastic personal member offers. Find out more by calling 0844 556 9556, email member.services@rya.org.uk or visit http://www.rya.org.uk

OTTER CUP RACE

Sat, 18 May 2013 09:30:00 GMT

A sailboat race from Moss Landing, Ca. to Monterey, Ca. and back on Saturday, May 18th. Captain’s meeting will be at the Elkhorn Yacht Club at 9:30 a.m. NOR is on the yacht club’s website at On the Water

NAUTICAL FLEA MARKET at California's Elkhorn YC

Thu, 16 May 2013 08:00:00 GMT

There will be a Nautical Flea Market on Sunday, May 19th from 8 a.m. until 2 p.m. at the Elkhorn Yacht Club in which all types of boating equipment will be sold. For reserving a space or more information call (831) 724-3875

SailTime's Gosport Open Day is this Sunday May 19th

Tue, 14 May 2013 21:47:00 GMT

Come and see our brand new Beneteau Oceanis 41 – you could be sailing this beautiful boat this year with your family and friends – come and find out how at Gosport Premier marina (PO12 1AH) this coming Sunday – Richard will be on hand from 10.30am – 4pm to show you around and answer any questions you have or call us on 01753 714388

Race Report 11-12 May 2013

Tue, 14 May 2013 07:19:00 GMT

YARMOUTH XOD RACE REPORT

Saturday, 11 May George Cup 3
Course: 3 1 2 4 line 1 8
Wind: Force 5 SW
Tide: Flood
Starters: X125 – X147 – X156

Race start was sensibly moved to the morning as forecast conditions were considered to be too severe for an afternoon start. But this eliminated those a couple of crews who could not get to the Island in time for the Saturday morning start. Foxy sailed four-up that proved beneficial in the conditions. Tom Vernon helmed Arrow whilst Gleam was under James’ usual management.

There was an unfortunate accident between Arrow and Gleam before the start but nevertheless Gleam led for the initial stages before being overtaken by Foxy who led thereafter. In the second round Arrow and Gleam were in close contention.

1st Foxy 2nd Gleam 3rd Arrow

Sunday, 12 May Hayles Cup 3
Course: 1 2 # 8
Wind: Force 3 SW
Tide: Flood
Starters: X102 – X49

To have James Meaning aboard at any time is probably beneficial and so it proved for Whiskey Johnny in this two boat race against Rosalita despite James having suffered a broken rib whilst kite surfing the previous afternoon.

1st Whiskey Johnny 2nd Rosalita

Minoprio reigns supreme at the GC32 Austria Cup, opening event of The Great Cup

Mon, 13 May 2013 21:56:00 GMT

Hopes for the final day of racing of this, the first ever event of The Great Cup, was to complete an eight race round robin before a weather front rolled across Lake Traunsee. Sadly the organisers only made it halfway through before the rain arrived, quashing the prospects of any further racing.
While Flavio Marazzi and his Marwin crew set a brisk tone of the day port tacking the fleet with a giant hull fly off the line in race one, it was again Kiwi former Match Racing World Champion Adam Minoprio who continued his relentless string of race wins to end the regatta first overall, eight points ahead of Marwin.
“I didn’t have high hopes of winning, but I didn’t have any other goal,” said Minoprio of his success in what is the first multihull regatta he’s ever raced. “I am a little surprised I won. I am pretty happy with how quickly we managed to start sailing these boats fast around the track, but the guys I had sailing with me with put in a big effort.”
Sailing with Minoprio were Andy Dinsdale (GER/USA), Thomas Tschepen (AUT) and Diego Stefani (ITA).
From here Minoprio sets out to reclaim the Alpari World Match Racing Tour title, but he hopes to return to The Great Cup. “It is definitely a whole lot of fun. The GC32 is a great boat. It is very nice to sail. It gets up and flies a hull in 6 knots of wind and you can zoom around a track. It is a great package.”
Flavio Marazzi has taken to his new GC32 catamaran with the same intensity with which he undertook his Star keelboat campaigns for the last three Olympic Games.“It was a really great experience with six teams,” he said. “The boats are very equal, it is hard to be always be on top.”
From Austria, the Great Cup heads to Marazzi’s native Switzerland for the Geneve-Rolle-Geneve on 8th June, followed by the Bol d’Or Mirabaud. Before those Marazzi intends to compete in other ‘long distance’ lake races in Zurich and on Lake Constance. “The idea for this year is to do a lot of promotion and activity to get sponsors and to be in the media,” he says.
The surprise result of the regatta was that of AEZ GC32 Youth Sailing Team, skippered by 22-year-old Max Trippolt. They didn’t end the regatta well, but won day one and claimed some major scalps along the way, including Minoprio’s, to end the regatta a worthy third among the six teams.
“We thought that it would be much harder for us, because they are all really professional crews. It was really good, because we weren’t familiar with the boat, but the team did a really good job,” said Trippolt.
Amsterdam-based French businessman, Laurent Lenne, creator of The Great Cup, has much to be pleased with from this first regatta of his brand new catamaran circuit. “I am pretty proud of what we have achieved in the last five days. Everyone worked very hard and every day we were doing things better from the live streaming to pushing out the information, etc and the sailing got better. Looking back at it, I’m happy.”
Lenne has had the monumental task of not just conceiving the Martin Fischer-designed GC32 catamaran, built by Premier Composites in Dubai, but also the Great Cup circuit, ably assisted by throughout by leading Australian cat sailor Andrew Macpherson.
“We’ve come a long way since the beginning of this year,” said Lenne, who has a day job, running SPAX Solution, a leading IT systems integration company. “Some things only arrived in the office two days before we left to come here. It was very aggressive planning, but you need to show you are doing a lot for the class and to demonstrate what we are capable of. We want everyone who joins the class to understand that they will be getting a minimum quality of service.”
Lenne has also brought some ground breaking technology to the event with a WiFi network spanning most of Lake Traunsee enabling live TV to be streamed to the internet from on board boats, cameras on the water, etc.
Around all this Lenne also found time to sail his new boat and after a slow start, started winning races in what is his first ever regatta in a multihull bigger than an F18 catamaran.
“Today our speed was really good and we got a second and a first. Obviously you are racing Adam Minoprio and he is not easy, but we have got really good speed and our communication is getting better. It has been a privilege sailing against these guys.”

Words: Sailing Intelligence
Photo assignment for The Great Cup -http://www.thegreatcup.com

images attached.
Gallery:http://www.sealaunay.com/diary/

Christophe Launay
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www.sealaunay.com

Portfolio

Represented by Gilles Gagnier:

gagnier.g@sandbocks.fr

Image Agency:
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Skype: sealaunay
Twitter: SeaLaunay

Azuree 46, designed by Rob Humphreys, is set for her debut at the end of 2013

Mon, 13 May 2013 19:18:00 GMT

The Azuree 46 is distinctive in design incorporating many recognizable advantages within her deck and interior layout.

Elegant, stylish lines combined with an easily driven hull
Large cockpit provides a comfortable relaxing area with ample space for guests and crew
Foldable cockpit seats can be transformed into sofa beds
Generous sail area with easy handling solutions
Wide swimming platform and easily removable aft helmsman seats

The Azuree 46 will be launched towards the end of 2013. With many distinctive characteristics and competitive advantages she is well worth waiting for.

Everything is designed to ensure greater comfort and safety when onboard. For many yacht owners, having a sailing yacht with a recognizable performance is a part of their lifestyle. For the majority, sailing is also about the simple joys of just relaxing and enjoying life on board. Having the best level of comfort while at anchor is as important to them as sailing a beautifully balanced, responsive yacht, be it day sailing over a weekend or the adventure of long-distance passage making as part of their potential itinerary. Azuree 46 can successfully deliver all of these requirements.

Azuree 46 has a great competitive advantage in the cockpit area as foldable cockpit seats transform into day beds for sun bathing or additional berths for sleeping al fresco at night. This provides comfortable outdoor living both at anchor and during passage making. It can be easily said of the Azuree 46, that her wide cockpit volume offers flexible and adaptable combinations of use.

Rob Humphreys has designed the Azuree 46 with a sail plan of 104 sqm of total sail area, this with her displacement and ballast figures provide a top class ballast ratio allowing for good sail carrying capabilities and powerful performance. The Azuree 46’s underdeck jib furling system leading aft to the cockpit, adds to a clean uncluttered deck.

Azuree 46 is easy to handle by the short handed cruising sailor. Manoeuvring with the German mainsheet system and non overlapping jib enables easy and precise handling even with the smallest crew. Safety and comfort is ensured by the large and ergonomic cockpit area.
The opening swimming platform means easy access to the sea and additional sunbathing area.

About Azuree 46

The Azuree 46 is the newest sailing yacht from Sirena Marine. The first yachts will be available by the end of 2013. The Azuree 46 is designed by Rob Humphreys who combines 39 years of naval architecture and sailing experiences. The Azuree 46 will satisfy the expectations of many yacht owners, her performance combined with distinctive practical design, seaworthiness and comfort. Rob Humphreys design incorporates a hull with low wetted surface; a generous sail area along with very efficient “T shape” keel ensures sparkling performance. The construction technique utilised in the production of the new Azuree 46 has taken full advantage of the latest technology. Use of vacuum infusion, vinilester and advanced design spider frame provides maximum stiffness highly resistant to torsional loads. The Ballast ratio enables the Azuree 46 to support a powerful sail plan without sacrificing cruising comfort and safety. Azuree 46 features an elegant stylish design and a host of details usually seen only on larger sailing yachts. She combines aesthetic elements with practical and ergonomic functions. The interior layout of Azuree 46 is organized in 3 cabins and 2 bathrooms, a large and ergonomic L-shape galley, along with a dining area which can accommodate comfortably 8 people and practical chart table, which can satisfy even the most demanding sailors. “The Azuree 46 is a thoughtfully blended cocktail, sensitively composed and definitely shaken, not stirred’’ says Rob Humphreys.

Key technical specifications of Azuree 46
LOA
14,035 m
LWL
12,99 m
Max. Beam
4,253 m
Draft
2,6 m. / 2.2 m.
Displacement
10.450 kg
Ballast
3.976 kg
Standard Layout
3 cabins – 2 bathrooms
Engine Power
55 hp Volvo Penta
Total Sail Area
104 m2

More information on Azuree can be found at HYPERLINK “http://www.azuree.com.tr”www.azuree.com.tr. Social media platforms: facebook/azureesailing, twitter/azureesailing.

About Sirena Marine

Sirena Marine is a leading international yacht building company based in Turkey, investing heavily in new yachts and brands. Sirena Marine’s objectives are to be one of the leading global yacht builders in the world. The existing Azuree line includes Azuree 33, Azuree 40, Azuree 40 Voyage and the new Azuree 46 designed by Rob Humphreys. The new Euphoria line will start with a 54 feet yacht designed by German Frers at the beginning of 2014.
A significant investment plan has been implemented to extend new models into the Azuree and new Euphoria lines. Sirena Marine yachts combine distinctive designs, superior engineering, combining performance with premium comfort, innovation and practicality. The new individual models provide outstanding specifications and value for money. Sirena Marine is represented with a total of 18 dealers worldwide. Sirena Marine is one of the most modern yacht building facility in the world, with 103.000 m2 total area and 35.000 m2 undercover area. More information on Sirena Marine can be found at HYPERLINK “http://www.sirenamarine.com.tr”www.sirenamarine.com.tr.

For Detailed Information:
ONTO Corporate Communications

+90 216 330 10 25
Seda Koçali Büyüklü +90 532 416 15 60 / HYPERLINK <a href="mailto: “mailto:sedabuyuklu@ontoiletisim.com”sedabuyuklu@ontoiletisim.com">"mailto:sedabuyuklu@ontoiletisim.com"sedabuyuklu@ontoiletisim.com
Deniz Giray +90 533 656 23 56 / HYPERLINK <a href="mailto: “mailto:denizgiray@ontoiletisim.com”denizgiray@ontoiletisim.com">"mailto:denizgiray@ontoiletisim.com"denizgiray@ontoiletisim.com

WIN A VISIT FROM A MEMBER OF THE BRITISH SAILING TEAM WITH PUSH THE BOAT OUT

Mon, 13 May 2013 19:01:00 GMT

Is your club or centre taking part in RYA Push the Boat Out this weekend (18-19 May)? If the answer is yes then you could be in with a chance of winning a visit to your club, from one the UK’s leading sailors.

With just five days to go until the big event, the RYA is launching an exclusive Push the Boat Out social media competition, with the star prize being a visit from a member of the British Sailing Team who will spend the day at your club getting involved in club activities and talking to members.

Getting involved is easy. All you have to do to win this amazing prize is post or tweet a photo from your club onto the RYA Facebook page or RYA Twitter feed telling us that your club is taking part in Push the Boat Out.

“As well as having a fantastic prize, the competition is a great way for clubs to spread the word about their Push the Boat Out events,” comments Jackie Bennetts, RYA Club Support Advisor.

“Entrants can make their photos as creative as they want; it could be club members out sailing or in gathered in the club house or boat park. Maybe even waving their Push the Boat Out flag! We’ll leave the ideas up to your imagination.”

As well as posting a picture, entrants must ensure that they write that they will be ‘Pushing the Boat Out’ as part of their entry and all entries must be made before 18 May 2013.

RYA Push the Boat Out will see sailing clubs across the country opening their doors and inviting people of all ages and abilities to get out on the water and have a go at sailing.

For more information about the RYA Push the Boat Out social media competition and full terms and conditions visithttp://www.rya.org.uk/programmes/pushtheboatout/Pages/WINavisitfromamemberoftheBritishSailingTeamwithpushtheBoatOut.aspx

The winner will be chosen at random and announced on the Push the Boat Out website on 24 May.

If your sailing club is running an open day or taster sessions on Push the Boat weekend please register your event at www.rya.org.uk/go/ptbo
Love Boating? Then why not join the association that promotes and protects, safe, successful and rewarding British boating. Join today and support the RYA in protecting your boating rights and freedoms. Take advantage of free advice and support on all aspects of your boating, as well as enjoying a range of fantastic personal member offers. Find out more by calling 0844 556 9556, email member.services@rya.org.uk or visithttp://www.rya.org.uk

Thrills, spills & a good turnout from the big boats for the Royal Southern Yacht Club's Summer Series May Regatta

Mon, 13 May 2013 18:11:00 GMT

RSrnYC May Regatta 2013 report
By Phil Riley

Hamble, Hampshire, UK:
Capping a class-winning racing performance with a piece of impressive, no-nonsense seamanship in rescuing an MOB from another boat counts as a pretty good day on the water.
Adam Munday is in the process of applying for Academy membership at the Royal Southern Yacht Club. On the basis of his performance in the Club’s May Regatta, the first in their annual Summer Series, it’s not unreasonable to think he may be a shoo-in.

In Saturday’s racing, run by the Royal Southampton Yacht Club and incorporating its prestigious Clarkson Cup Regatta, Adam posted three bullets in IRC3 as skipper of the J97 Induljence. Then in Sunday’s first race, the 20 year-old and his crew were, thankfully, in the right place at the right time.

‘We were slightly behind Jeopardy 2 and they Chinese gybed,’ said Adam. ‘We spotted someone in the water. We were in the right place and we could see Jeopardy was in a bit of trouble trying to retrieve their kite so we dropped ours and went back upwind to her. I think she was in the water for about five minutes. The crew behaved really well and it all went quite smoothly,’ he added.

Conditions at the time of the incident were typical of the regatta on each day, a building breeze and an increasingly lumpy sea, particularly when tide turned against westerly wind in the course of racing, with Stephen Bromley’s A31 Aneetdjinn dismasting in testing conditions on Saturday.

Jeopardy 2’s female crew was transferred back to her yacht by the Southern’s mark-laying RIB Sir Michael, seemingly none the worse for her experience in water as apparently it was ‘not as cold as she’d expected’.

Induljence received redress for her rescue and, with a further win in the last race, took IRC3 ahead of David Greenhalgh’s J92 J’Ronimo and Andy Howe’s J92S Blackjack.

Magical Mystery Tour claims RSYC’s Clarkson Cup & Mills 40 Tokoloshe takes May Regatta honours

Tokoloshe chases Magical Mystery Tour in IRC1 during the May Summer Series Regatta.
Photo: Phil Riley

The RSYC’s Clarkson Cup was on offer to Saturday’s winner in IRC1, with Edward Leask’s Club Swan 42 Magical Mystery Tour claiming the trophy by a point from Tokoloshe.

However, the South African flagged Mills 40 turned the tables on the Sunday with two wins to take May Regatta honours.

‘The weekend was about the May Regatta, but hitting a mark in the second race on Saturday knocked us down to third, which made the day less successful than it should have been,’ said
Tokoloshe skipper and helmsman Dave Bartholomew.

‘Sunday was a better day. Everything just went right and we made fewer mistakes than anyone else, and had a couple of really good starts.

’Magical went through three spinnakers this weekend I think, so that didn’t help them – if they’d kept them in one piece it would have been closer, but we only beat them by a point as it was.’

He added: ‘It was good to see a better turnout amongst the big boats this regatta. There were some really decent boats in our class and I think some of them will be doing the rest of the Series regattas. It make for an even more valuable event.’

Will NYYC Invitational beckon for Ed?
Amongst the crew on Magical Mystery Tour was Academy member Ed Fitzgerald, who is one of a number of Club sailors trialling for inclusion in her crew for the New York Yacht Club’s Invitational Regatta in Newport in September.

‘We saw tops of 35 to 40 knots by the end – the boat was going really well downwind and was quick around the race track,’ said Ed, 24. ‘We had a few issues but it all paid off with a win in the Clarkson Cup.

’Sunday was nip-and-tuck with Tokoloshe all the way round and they just pipped us at the last.‘
As for a place at the New York YC event, he said: ’It would be great to do it as the Invitational Cup doesn’t come along very often and just being asked to trial on the boat is a big honour. We’ll see how it goes; if the boys are happy with what I do then maybe we’ll go out to Newport, but there’s a long way to go.‘

Richard Fildes’ Corby 37 Impetuous filled out the IRC1 podium.

Meanwhile in IRC2, Mike Bridges’ Elan 37 Elaine posted four firsts and a second to take the class ahead of Robbie and Lis Robinson’s Beneteau First 35 Hot Rats and Peter Morton’s Corby 33 Salvo.

In the XODs Dux (Elliot Motherwell) and Leading Wind (Hamish Calder) traded first and second places, with Elicia (John Sparshatt-Worley) disturbing the pattern with a win in the third race. Dux took the class win by a single point.

In the J80s Betty (John Powell) had a comparatively cavernous four point advantage over J Out Of The Box (Yannig Loyer), with Seafire (Rob Bunt) taking the final place on the podium.

In the J70s, Ruairidh Scott’s North Sails won five of the six races, ahead of Tristan Jacques’s Django and Tony Hanlon’s RAFBF Spitfire.

The weather proved inhospitable for the 6 Metres and only one race was possible over the regatta, with Peter Andreae’s Erica leading home Christian Teichmann’s Abu and David Roberts’ Melita.

In the Club Class, Tim Corner’s First 36s7 Girolle took three wins to finish ahead of John Rutherford’s Sigma 38 Degree of Latitude.

Natalie French’s Turbulence Too was the only entry in the SB20s, as was J2eau (Stephen Maine) in the J109s.

Results

IRC1

1. Tokoloshe
2. Magical Mystery Tour
3. Impetuous

IRC2

1. Elaine
2. Hot Rats
3. Salvo

IRC 3

1. Indulgence
2. J’Ronimo
3. Blackjack

Club Class

1. Girolle
2. Degree of Latitude

J80
1. Betty
2. J Out Of The Box
3. Seafire

J70
1. North Sails
2. Django
3. RAFBF Spitfire

SB20
1. Turbulence Too

J109
1 J2eau

6 Metre
1. Erica
2. Abu
3. Melita

XOD
1. Dux
2. Leading Wind
3. Elicia
http://www.royal-southern.co.uk

Don't miss the Flexisail Open Day this Saturday May 18th at Port Hamble

Mon, 13 May 2013 14:59:00 GMT

If you are interested in finding out more about our Flexisail packages and would like to see our boats then drop in and see us at our Open Day at Port Hamble Marina on Saturday May 18th between 11 am – 4 pm.

You will meet our team, see some of our superb fleet of boats and find out more about how to benefit from all the joys of ownership with none of the headaches and at a fraction of the price.

Don’t forget to ask us about our popular social events too.

California: The Elkhorn Yacht Club institutes discount membership fees.

Mon, 13 May 2013 14:30:00 GMT

Standard membership fees for Flag members are $400 initiation and $55 per month. The following membership fees are listed as percentages of Flag member fees: (For more details contact the club manager at (831) 724-3875.

———Membership————-Initiation Fees——-Monthly Dues

—-Associate——————————10%—————Full
(Active duty military, crew
only, transfers from another
yacht club in good standing,
commercial fishermen)

Flag member (Ages 21-30)————-Full—————-50%
Corinthian (Ages 21-30)——————-10%—————50%
Cruising or Non-Resident——————Full—————-50% (After one year of Flag membership)

LOCAL NOTICE TO MARINERS No 17(T) OF 2013 - Eastern Pair of Yellow Lateral Buoys Marking the Small Craft Channel are reported as Extinguished

Wed, 08 May 2013 16:01:00 GMT

The eastern pair of yellow lateral buoys marking the small craft channel have been reported as extinguished; all vessels should navigate in this area with caution.

This notice will remain in force until further notice.

Race Report 6 May 2013

Wed, 08 May 2013 15:53:00 GMT

6 XOD on Moorings, 4 start on Saturday in 20 knots of westerly ,one gust recorded at 34 knots and Lymington not racing, and 2 finish. 3 start in 5 knots of westerly on Sunday. Moorings invisible through thick fog and no wind on Monday at start time. It must be early May in the West Wight.

Although the Saturday result was the same as last week, 1 Gleam 2 Arrow , this understates the race where Gleam led throughout but Foxy showed considerable speed from the combination of the Commodore and his daughter with the Sailing Secretary who made up for a shortage of kilos with an advantage in skill. But every time she seemed to close on the leader something broke, finally the main sheet tackle. Spray took on more water than it advises in the manual and struggled home heavy and so we had two retirements.

On Sunday the situation reversed. James went to Cowes. Foxy flew away on a running start and Spray outpaced Arrow to take second. Result 1 Foxy, 2 Spray 3 Arrow.

On Monday thanks to the patience of the Race Officers we got a building westerly for the Seabird, and another running start. Gleam started fast pursued by Foxy but it took Puffin a little time to squeeze between Arrow and Y 2. Upwind the two leaders took different routes to the inshore mark whilst Arrow sporting her fourth helm in as many races climbed to third.

Downwind again and Puffin and Gleam joined battle out into the tide. Eventually Gleam came back in to cover Arrow, and in doing so managed to escape enough tide to retake the lead. Foxy was the big mover downwind diving inshore and closing on the leaders. Result on the water 1 Gleam 2 Puffin 3 Foxy.

Rosalita had a good first outing holding off one Y and closing on another despite the smaller X spinnaker in a downwind race. There is discussion in the XOD about having a larger spinnaker which might enable them to add more downwind power over the tide to their upwind strength.

On Monday afternoon the sixth X Whiskey Johnny was observed sailing about so we hope to see her racing soon.

Sailing doesn't get better than this!

Wed, 08 May 2013 14:27:00 GMT

Sir Ben Ainslie, Sir Robin Knox-Johnston, Dame Ellen MacArthur, Dee Caffari MBE, Helena Lucas MBE, Alex Thomson, Mike Golding…certainly the most accomplished and recognised names in British, if not global yachting circles, and they’re all racing around the Isle of Wight on Saturday 1st June in Britain’s favourite yacht race, the annual J.P. Morgan Asset Management Round the Island Race.

These top sailors will be joined by up to 16,000 others arriving in Cowes from all over the world by boat, plane, train, ferry and Red Jet, all hoping to make this the best day’s racing this year.

As organisers and competitors alike start counting down the days in preparation, the Island Sailing Club is delighted to confirm a number of exciting features taking place in the lead up to and during the Race weekend.

BBC Coast features RTI 2012 Race on 8th May
Watch BBC 2 on 8th May at 8pm for the Round the Island Race feature that was filmed during last year’s epic event. If you miss it, it is repeated on Sunday 12th May in the afternoon.

Sailing Logic Masterclass
Whether you are new to racing or simply want to know more about what to expect, join Sailing Logic’s pre-Race Masterclass on May 25th, led by Tim Thubron who won in Division last year. He will explain the key racing rules and how to apply them, talk you through the tidal gates and how they will affect you, share with you his local knowledge on tide patterns and eddies and highlight key hazards to avoid (including the wreck!). They will also cover reading the weather forecast and preparing your boat for the Race. Alternatively if you have a crew but would like to know how to take them to the next level of performance, why not hire an experienced race coach for the day? Find out morehttp://www.sailinglogic.co.uk/racing/race-training/rti-race-masterclass.

Haven Knox-Johnston
Haven Knox-Johnston has a stand in the Race Village in Cowes Yacht Haven and invites everyone to come and meet the renowned contemporary maritime artist Stephen Lees. There’s a chance to win a Stephen Lees original, including an interpretation of your yacht, an opportunity to visit Stephen’s gallery in Lymington to watch your own picture being completed and enjoy lunch with the artist in the New Forest.

Roll up! Sir Ben Ainslie poster signing
Come and meet the world’s greatest Olympic sailor, Sir Ben Ainslie, CBE.
Sir Ben will on the Henri Lloyd clothing stand in the Race Village after racing on Saturday 1 June from 1700hrs for a poster signing. Ben is competing on his AC45 catamaran J.P. Morgan BAR. The revised edition of Ben’s autobiography ‘Close to the Wind’, which includes Ben’s journey to and details of London 2012, will also be available for purchase during the poster signing session.

Henri-Lloyd 2013 – Celebrating 50 years of Originality
In 2013 the “Original British Sailing Brand” Henri-Lloyd will be celebrating 50 Years of Originality. Since the company’s inception in 1963, Henri-Lloyd has pushed the boundaries to become one of the world’s iconic marine brands, setting the standards for performance, safety and comfort.

On the Henri Lloyd stand in the Race Village the brand is displaying a collection of iconic Henri Lloyd technical products from the last 50 years as well as retailing its current technical range and the official Race merchandise collection.

Timex Winch Grinding Competition
Timex Watches are throwing down the gauntlet to see who can post the fastest time on the Lewmar winch grinding machine. Visit their marquee in the Race Village for a chance to win a watch worth £245. Timex or Nautica watches will be available from the following outlets on Cowes High Street: Benzies and T.M.Taylor.

Whisky tasting with Old Pulteney
Old Pulteney, producers of award-winning single malt whisky, is offering whisky tastings of its 12 year-old expression this year. The maritime malt tastings will be available to everyone attending the Raymarine Weather Briefing at the ISC on the Friday evening, as well as at various times throughout the Round the Island Race weekend in the Race Village.

Your small steps lead to giant strides for the official Race Charity
Support the Ellen MacArthur Cancer Trust, official Charity to the Race, and help young people aged between 8-24 regain their confidence, on their way to recovery from cancer, leukaemia and other serious illness. Trust representatives will be on hand in the Race Village to provide information about how your generosity will give young people from hospitals throughout the UK the chance to experience life-changing sailing trips in the future.

Make sure you drop by the Trust stand and test your skills playing giant inflatable volleyball and other giant-sized games! To find out more, visit www.ellenmacarthurcancertrust.org
Meanwhile, an easy way to raise funds for the Ellen MacArthur Cancer Trust is by tweeting using the hash tag #raceforall. For every tweet using #raceforall, J.P. Morgan will donate 10p until the ‘Tweetometer’ target of £3,000 is reached. View the latest fundraising tweets at www.roundtheisland.org.uk/raceforalldIn.

Tracking
The popular GPS tracking facility will again be in action this year. If you or your crew have a Blackberry, Android smartphone or iPhone with built-in GPS and an active internet connection, you’ll be able to track your Race around the Island with the free GPS tracking app. As well as keeping everyone watching at home up-to date with your progress, it’ll also give you the opportunity to replay the Race after you’ve finished to see where you gained (or lost) time on your rivals.

Our technical gurus have also made some improvements to the iPhone app this year to make it even easier to use, and those of you with 3G internet access will be able to use the web-based mobile Race Viewer to see where you are on the race track compared to your rivals. Visit the tracking preview page athttp://rtir.me/trackingpreview for more information.

Weather Briefing
All competitors are invited to the Island Sailing Club at 1800hrs on Friday 31st May for the Raymarine Weather Briefing, the evening before the Race. Competitors get the latest weather and tidal information live, combined with expert tactical advice from professional meteorologist and Met Office trained, Chris Tibbs. In addition, competitors can evaluate the weather prior to the Race by viewing the course overview and tidal strategy video here:http://www.raymarine.co.uk/view/?id=7418. Competitors can also sign up to the Raymarine website to receive free email weather updates prior to the Race here:http://www.raymarine.co.uk/RTIR2013/

Photo gallery
Introduced last year, the official website’s online photo gallery allows anyone to share their pictures of the Race with fellow competitors and sailing fans around the world. Last year, thousands of images were uploaded to the gallery by those taking part, and many wonderful shots have since been featured on the gallery home page.

If you’d like to share your pictures of the 2013 Race, you just need to select your favourite images and visit the official website to upload them to the gallery. Once they’ve been approved by the ISC, the pictures will be available for everyone to see. Because each image will be tagged with the name of the boat featured, you’ll also be able to see who has captured pictures of your own Race around the Island. So, don’t forget your cameras on Race day!

Race facts 2013: From 0500 really keen early risers can capture the excitement of the starts near the Royal Yacht Squadron in Cowes, where the cannons are fired, and along The Green in Cowes.
Assuming no delays, the starting sequence is scheduled to continue until 0640.
Standard race entry closes at midnight on Sat 11th May. http://rtir.me/entries

Watch the latest Top Tips videos herehttp://rtir.me/videos, and to catch up on all the very Race news and event details, visit the official Race website:http://www.roundtheisland.org.uk